Ship-fumigating apparatus



Jan. 28, 1930.

c. D. COLLI/NS SHIP FUMIGATING APPARATUS Filed llay 11, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H t a f CHARLEs V D COLLINS.

INVENiOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 28, 1930 PATENT OFFICE CHARLES D. COLLINS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., PANY, OF NEW YORK, N- Y.,

Ass'IGNoR 'ro AMERICAN CYANAMID com- A CORPORATION or MAINE SHIP-FUMIGATIN G APPARATUS Application filed May 11,

This invention relates to fumigating apparatus, more particularly'to a readily portable device.

Fumigation with volatile, poisonous liquids is becoming of increasing importance, and such fumigants asliquids hydrocyanic acid, cyanogen chloride, and mixtures there- 7 of are now used very extensively in the fumigation of plants, such as citrus trees, of buildings, such as warehouses, apartments and the like, and of ships and their cargoes. Because of the extremely poisonous character of these fumigants, great care must be taken in the design of apparatus for storing, handling and using the same. In the case of the fumigation of citrus trees, which require relatively small doses of fumigant and wherein the amounts of the doses used vary within narrow limits, so-called fumigating pumps, tions of use, have been developed. These pumps are comparatively simple in design, are portable, rugged and give very good service in the field, but their, usefulness is limited to this application. It is very often necessary, in the fumigation of relatively large structures, such as ships or warehouses, to have afumigatin'g apparatus which is capable of accurately delivering a large quantity of or ten pounds.

fumigant in a single dose, for' example, five The apparatus used in the citrus field was unable to do this since it was calibrated vto deliver, say up to 14 or 18 ounces, in a single dose. In ship fumiga- 'tion it is often desired to fumigate one ormore holds or cabins, and in warehouse or apartment building fumigation, one or more sections, rooms or apartments. Since a small amount of funiigant is required for this purpose, the small citrus fumigating pumps would be suitable, but the use thereof would require the fumigator to have on hand, in addition thereto, an apparatus capable of delivering large doses of fumigant, which is undesirable.

My invention is intended to obviate this difficulty, it being among theobje'cts thereof to provide a fumigating apparatus which shall be capable of delivering, at will, measwhich are accurate under the condi- 1925. Serial N0. 29,639.

ured doses of fumigant in either small or large amounts, and with equal accuracy.

It is also among the objects of my invention to devise an apparatus of this character which shall be simple in construction, rugged, accurate and easy to manipulate.

In practicing my invention 1 provide a container for a relatively large amount of liquid fumigant, and a second container of smaller capacity in fixed position relative thereto. The relative size of the containers is such that, at any point,'the cross-sectional areas thereof bear a definite, predetermined relation to each other, for example, as pounds are to ounces or 16 to 1, or in any other desired ratio or units of measurement. A connecting pipe between the two containers is provided with a valve and the smaller containerhas one leg of a slidable, inverted U-shaped discharge member projectin thereinto. The proper position of the sai memher for the discharge of a desired "amount of fumigant, is determined by means of a gauge glass and scale on the apparatus and a pointer on the other or outer leg of the said member. If it is desired to discharge an amount of fumigant measured in pounds, the valve in the connecting pipe between the two containers is opened and the fumigant is ejected I by air pressure or other means from both containers, and if ounces are to be dischar ed the valve in the connecting pipe is closed efore applying the air pressure, and the fumigant or contents are then discharged from the smaller container.

In the accompanying drawings constituting a part hereof, and in which like reference characters indicate like parts;

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of my fumigating apparatus;

Fig. 2 1s a vertical, cross sectional view thereof, some parts being shown in elevation and other parts being shown as broken away for clearness, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, detailed View of the pointer arrangement for indicating the dosconnected thereto by legs 3 which are secured to the container and the base by welding, riveting, or both. A handle 4, of annular pipe 22 or in such relation thereto that, after a dose of fumigant has been ejected therefrom, the pointer will be at the level of the shape, 1s similarly secured to the top of con-remaining liquid.

tainer 1 by straps 5. Within the said container and concentric therewith, is a second container 6, also of cylindrical form and made of sheet metal, which is fixed in the ends 7 and 80f container 1 and aids in producing a rigid structure. The cross sectional area of container 6 bears a definite predetermined relation to the cross sectional area of container 1, and in this case the relation is as ounces is to pounds, or as 1 is to 16. An opening 9 near the top of container 6 forms a pressure equalizin connection between the two containers. penings 10 and 11 in the bottom of containers 6 and 1, respectively, are connected by piping 12-and 12', and a cap 13 in the said piping provides means for cleaning the apparatus. An opening 14 in the top 7 is provided with a threaded sleeve 15, closed bly plug 16 which has a threaded opening c osed by plug 17.

' A valve 18 is adapted to seat in opening 10 and has secured thereto a vertically disosed stem 19, passing through a packing box 20 inthe top of container 6 having an 2 operating wheel 21 secured to the top thereof. .A tube or pi e 22 also located in container '6 and adapte to extend to the bottom thereof, passes through a packing box 23 andhas a valve 24 at the upper end thereof. A horizontally disposed pipe 25 leads from valve 24 and has a downwardly projecting p pe 26 secured thereto, the lower end of said pipe having a connection 27 for a hose and spray '29'has its upper end secured in fitting nozzles or the like, not shown. The pipes 22, 25 and 26 constitute a slidable, inverted U-shaped member, the function of which is explained below.

A gauge glass 28 having a metal guagg which is connected to opening 31 in the top of container 1. The lower end of gauge glass 28 is secured in fitting 32 which is connected by piping 33 to opening 34 in the bottom of contalner 6. A valve stem'35 ter-' minating in a valve 36, adapted to seat at point 37 of fitting 32, passes through the gauge glass 28 and fitting and terminates at its upper end in an operating wheel 38. The diameter of rod is such that it materially restricts the volume of liquid contained in glass 28 and it also provides means for holding the parts of the glass 28 in position if it should become accidentally broken, and thereby prevents undue leakage of the dan erous fumigant- A scale 39 is placed in c ose proximity to gauge glass 28, and is adapted to be traversed by a pointer 40 which is part of member 41 and is held in fixed relation to the pipe 26 by a clamping member 42 and screws 43. The pointer 40 is placed on a level with the lower end of of the 'liquid'level in Guide rods 44 and 45 are placed on either side of pipe 26, the upper ends thereof being held in plate 46, secured to'the container 1 and the lower ends thereof being secured in base 2. The rods 44 and 45pass through openings in members 41 and 42 and constitute means for holding the same in proper alignment with the gauge glass and scale. At intervals corresponding with the markings on scale 39, the rod '45 is provided with notches for the reception of a corresponding spring member 48 which is held in fixed relation to pointer 40 by screws 43, which clamp the PIOJGCtiOD. 49 thereof to member 42. A fitting 50 extends from opening 51 in the top of container 1 and is provided with an air valve 52 of the spring pressed type, such as is commonly used. A pressure gauge 53 connects with container 1 through the fitting 50. fitting 55 extends from opening 54, is closed by cap 56 and provides means for venting.

The operation of my fumigating apparatus is as follows 2 y The cap 56 is removed from fitting 55 and a venting hose, which is led to a safe distance, is attached thereto. The plug 17 is removed, valves 18 and 36 are opened, and the apparatus is filled with hydrocyanic acid or other liquid fumigant by connecting plug 16 with a supply of the fumigant through a hose and forcing the same into the container by air or other pressure or by gravity. The p ug 17 and cap 56 are then replaced, the required air pressure is applied by means of a hand pump connected to air valve 52, and the U-shaped member is moved until the pointer 40 is at the proper point on the scales 39 so that the difference between the reading containers 1 and 6 and the position of ointer 40 indicates the number of ounces of fumigant to be applied in a single dose. Valve 18 is closed, valve 24 is then opened and the air pressure in container- 6 forces the liquid therefrom into pipe 22 through pipes 25, 26 and 27 and through the hose and nozzles into the space to be fumigated. When the liquid level in the container 6 has been lowered to the opening in the bottom of pipe 22, which level is indicated by pointer 40, the proper amount of fumigant has been ejected and the apparatus may bereset for a further manipulation.

If pounds are to be measured, valve 18 is opened, the pointer 40 is set to the proper position so that the difference between the level of liquid, as shown by the glass 28, and the pointer 40, represents the desired dosage in pounds, air pressure is applied and the fumigant is ejected from both containers through the nozzles as before. If it is desired to clean the apparatus, cap 13 is removed from piping'l2, plug 16 is removed from sleeve 15, and a water hose is connected to. the sleeve. Water is passed through both containers and runs'out through piping 12.

It will be noted that my apparatus is exthe bottom of containers 1 and 6 allows the complete draining ot' the apparatus upon removal of cap 13, and the sleeve 15 allows of ready washing out of the containers. Valves 24 and 36 provide safety devices preventing accidental discharge of the fumigant. The manipulation of the apparatus for the discharge of either ounces orpounds is extremely simple, it being necessary merely to set the U-shaped member at the proper point on the scale and then apply air pressure on air valve 52, the valve 18 being closed or open, depending on whether ounces or pounds are discharged, and the doses are discharged with an accuracy of 97% to 99%, whether the measurement is in pounds or in, ounces.

Althouglnin the above description of my invention, I have specifically set forth an apiaratus which is intended to be usedwith a umigant ot' the cyanogen type, it is obvious ,that other volatile liquid fumigants, such as carbon bisulphide, methyldichloramine and the like, may be used in my new apparatus. The detailed construction thereof may be changed in many respects. While the invention has been shown with some particularity, yet it is to be distinctly understood that it is not restricted to the physical structure or the arrangement shown, but the invention contemplates any equivalent structure or arrangement and is limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is: 1. Apparatus for fumigating comprising a container for liquid fumigant, a second container, the cross-section of which bears a predetermined relation to that of the first-named container, a connection between the containers below the liquid level therein, means for closing the connection, and means for withdrawing measured quantities of fumigant from said second container, including a slidable discharge member in said second container.

2. Apparatus for :fumigating comprising a container for liquidfumigant, a second container, the cross-section of which bears a predetermined relation to that of the first-named container, a connection between the containers below the liquid level therein, means for closing the connection, a gauge glass and scale, and means for withdrawing measured quantities of fumigant from said second con-- tainer, including a slidable discharge member in said second container cooperating with the gaugeglass and scale, and a pointer se- "cured to said discharge member adapted to move over said glass and scale.

4. Apparatus for fumigating comprising a container for liquid fumigant, a second container, the cross-section of which bears a predetermined relation to that of the first-named container, a connection between the containers below the liquid level therein, means for closing the connection, gauge glass and scale, and means for withdrawin measured quantities of fumigant from sai second container, including a slidable dis harge member in said second container cooperating with the gauge glass and scale, and a pointer secured to said discharge member adapted to move over said glass and scale, and notches adapted to be engaged by said pointer.

5.. Apparatus for fumigating comprising a container for liquid fumigant, a second container, the cross-section of which bears a predetermined relation to that of the first-named container, a connection between the containers below the liquid level therein, means for closing the connection, a gauge glass, and means for withdrawing'measured quantities of fumigant from said second container, including a slidable discharge member in said second container cooperating with the gauge glass, and a valve for shutting off said gauge,

the stem thereof passing through the glass tainer, the cross-section of which bears a predetermined relation to that of the first-named container, a connection between the containers below the liquid level therein, means for closing the connection, and means for withdrawing measured quantities of fumigant from said second container, including a slidable, inverted U-shaped member, one leg of which projects into said second container.

8. Apparatus for fumigating comprising a container for liquid funiigar a second container, the cross-section of which bears a predetermined relation to that of the first-named container, a connection between the containers below the liquid level therein, means for closing the connection, and means for with drawing measured quantities of fumigant from said second container, including a slidable, inverted U-shaped member, one leg of which projects into said second container, a gauge glass and scale, and a pointer on the other leg of said inember 'adapted to be moved dver said glass and scale by the movement of said member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day of May, 1925. CHARLES D. COLLINS. 

